PickGlobe
If you buy something and it turns out to be fake, Citizens Advice explains your rights in the UK. This guide covers counterfeit goods only, not faulty goods in general.
This guide is based on the public sources listed at the end. We have not tested the products or services mentioned.
This is a short reference page. The full guide is Online Shopping Rights and Returns: UK, EU, US and Canada Compared.
Refund timeline
| Time since you paid | What the page says |
|---|---|
| Within 30 days | You can get a full refund |
| 30 days to 6 months | The seller can offer a genuine replacement, but must refund if it cannot supply one |
| Over 6 months | You may get a partial refund based on use, and proving it is fake can be harder (ask the genuine brand to inspect) |
Consumer rights last up to 6 years depending on quality when bought. A seller cannot refuse because the item was cheap.
Payment routes
- Debit card: chargeback.
- Credit card under £100: chargeback.
- Credit card from £100 to £30,000: a section 75 claim.
- PayPal: a dispute within 180 days.
Reporting
Report to Trading Standards (which may prosecute but cannot recover your money), Report Fraud and Crimestoppers.
Avoiding fakes
Prices far below the brand's own can mean old stock or fakes. See our guides to checking whether a store is legit, independent beauty brands and refunds and chargebacks.
Last checked: 15 October 2026. Sources: Citizens Advice, report fake or counterfeit goods.
